Spring device for ground tools



Oct. 19, 1954 R. L. ERWIN SPRING DEVICE FOR GROUND TooLs 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 3, 1950 Oct. 19, 1954 R. L. ERwlN SPRING DEVICE FOR GROUND TooLs 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 5, 1950 INVENTOR. Raaf/er1. WW/N 1 im Anw/l l ITLLIIV TI Oct. 19, 1954 R. l.. ERwlN 2,691,934

SPRING DEVICE FOR GROUND TOOLS Filed Aug. :5, 195o s sheets-sheet :s

l INVENToR. 085?? @W//V Patented Oct. 19,1954

SPRING DEVICE FR GROUND TOOLS Robert L. Erwin, Royal Oak, Mich., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Ford Motor Company,

Dearborn,

Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application August 3, 1950, Serial No. 177,496

(Cl. SFI-245) 2 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved tensioning device for farm implements and particularly for the furrow opening elements of grain drills or planters for obtaining uniform ground penetration.

In planting grain with grain drills, the furrow opening discs meet with variable soil resistances as the drill is towed behind the tractor, which causes the furrow opening elements to raise or lower in response to such varying soil resistances. Accordingly, the grain will be sown at variable depths thereby contributing to producing an uneven stand of grain because of Variations in germination and growth; In order to overcome this problem, heretofore heavy springs have been utilized to force the furrow opening discs into the ground but no effect has been made to relieve this tension as the drill is raised to the non-operating position.

At the end of a run across the eld, the furrow opening elements of the drill should be capable of being readily raised from the ground and the seeding operation shut off while the drill is turned about for making a run in the other direction. Considerable operator attention and maneuvering is required for the operator to turn the tractor and raise the furrow opening elements of the tractor simultaneously. Accordinglyit is obviously desirable that a lifting mechanism powered by the tractor be employed to raise such furrow opening elements against the bias of the tensioning springs with but a minimum of attention and effort on the part of the operator.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved tensioning device for a grain drill to positively hold the furrow opening elements of a farm implement in ground engagement.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved tensioning device for farm implements to produce a downward biason the ground working elements of greatest force when the ground working elements are in operating position and of substantially lesser force when such elements are in a raised position.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved power operated lifting arrangement for raising the ground engaging elements of a farm implement to provide substantially automatic lifting of ground engaging elements of a farm implement with a minimum of operator effort.

The specific nature of this invention, as well 'as other objects and advantages thereof, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, taken in -conjunction with the attached sheets of drawings on which, by way of preferred example only, vare illustrated two embodiments of this invention.

On the drawings: Fig. 1 is a side elevational view -of a grain drill embodying the improved tensioning device of this invention shown attached to a tractor and incorporating a lifting mechanism utilizing the power lifted hitch links of a well known type of tractor for raising the ground engaging elements of the drill. l v

Fig. 2 is an enlarged scale side elevation view illustrating the ground engaging elements of the implement in a raised position. Fig. 3 is a detail plan view of ture. y Fig. 4 illustrates a tensioning device embodying a modification of thisinvention. r Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the plane 5-5 of Fig. 2. -1

As shown on the drawings: Y f In Fig. 1 there is shown a graindrill indicated generally by the numeral Ill which embodies the improved tensioning device -of this v invention. Grain drill II) comprises a transversely extending frame structure II which is supported on a transverse axle vI2 by a plurality of depending braces I3 secured to such axle, and the axle I2 is in turn respectively supported at its ends by transport wheels I4. A transversely extending hopper 9 is mounted on top of frame I I by brackets 8. A longitudinally disposed tongue member I5 is suitably connected to frame structure I I shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Tongue I5 is preferably constructed of angle iron in the form of a wish-bone and theforward ends IEa (Fig. 3) converge and are transversely spaced apart to define a narrow groove. A sheave I 'I is rotatably mounted between the converging ends of the tongue l5 by a transverse pin I8, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. A pair of lugs Iby are welded to the forward end of tongue I 5 in horizontally disposed relationship and such lugs are spaced apart vertically and in aligned relationship. A vertically disposed hole |50 is provided in each of the lugs |519 through which a clevis pin I9 is inserted to connect such tongue to a rearwardly disposed hitch bar 'Zil secured to a tractor 2I.

Hitch bar 20 is provided with a downwardly the tongue strucoifset portion 20a so that the forward end of such bar can be connected to the customary tractor clevis hitch 2Ia provided substantially underneath the rear axle housing. A clevis pin 2lb effects the connection. Tractor 2l is of a well known type and is provided with what is 21 provided on the top of axlehousing 23 pivotal-7 ly mounts an upper link 28.;` Link 28 is connected at its rear end to an upstanding arm- 26b provided near the rear of bar 20 as shown in Fig. 1 to support such bar. A transverse drawbar 29 is mounted between the ends of hitch links 22 for a purpose to be later described. As is custernary,v a plurality of transversely spacedfur'- rowopening discsl 3.6.Y arev provided and each. of the furrow opening discs 3a, is rotatably supported on an upwardly and forwardly sloping arm 3| by a transverse bolt. 38a.. The forward end of, arm 3l is pivoted to frame portion lfla; by a transverse. bolt` 3 la., Aseed boot. 3.2 is, supported adjacent each disc 30 by braces 33. and 33a. Brace member 33. slopes. downwardly and forwardly for rigid connection to arm 3| as`r by welding. De-

pending. arm 33d is secured by welding; to. brace A transversely extending. rocker shaft 34A is mounted in a plurality of upstanding. brackets 35 welded to longitudinal portions Ila.- of frame structure. H. Above. each disc 3.0, a rocker arm 36 is nonrotatably secured to shaft 34 by a clamp member 36e` and sucharm' projects'` rearwardly as shown in Figsland 2, terminating. ina. yoke shaped end portion 36d.v A. transversepin 36h is pivotally secured in the yoke ends; of rocker arm 36 and a transverse hole 36d is. provided therein4 through which a. downwardly directed rod 3-1 is inserted. The lower end of rod. 3l is pivotally connectedtoan upstanding lug, 34h provided on. top of arm 3|.. A spring. seat 38 is mounted on rod 3l adjacent the bottom end of such rod asshown in Fig. 2 and a transverse pin 31a-y secures spring seat 38 in a selected-.position against vertical displacement ina downward direction. A helical spring. 3.9- surrounds rod 3l,l the lowery end of such. spring, resting; on springv seat 38' and the upper end abutting, a collar 40;, which in turn, abuts the underside of yoke ends 36a. Rod 3:1l projects upwardly above rocker arm 3,6 and, a transverse pin 3lbis provided near the top of such rod; to preventI rod 31 from passing down;- wardly through transverseI pin 35h.

Spring biased rod 3.1 is provided to; permit up.- ward pivotal movement of furrow openingI disc arm 3|` about bolt 34a, in the eventY such dise strikes.V an unyielding obstruction. in, the ground thereby preventingV damage-t the-disc.

A pair of lifting levers 41. are secured to rocker shaft 34 by clampJ membersv 4ta. asI shown in Fig, 2 inA transversely spaced relationshipl as shown in Fig. 3. A forwardly projecting. yoke shaped member 42. isA respectively pivotallyv connected at its ends to lifting. levers 4E. bytransverse bolts 42a. Yoke i2 terminatesin astem portion 42h and av cable 4,3. is. connected to the forward end of stenr portion: 4.2 ini a suitable manner. Cable 43 passes: around the underside `of sheave Il; and issuitably connected to tractor drawbar 29, as .shownY at. 44.` Raising the: tractor hitch links 22 by actuation of lift arms 24 will raise drawbar 29 thereby pulling cable 43 forwardly thus rotating levers 4l in a clockwise direction as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Levers 4l therefore effect clockwise rotation of shaft 34 thereby raising rocker arms 36 to effect lifting of discs 30 to the position shown in Fig. 2.

For controlling penetration of discs;I 3.0, a deph adjusting lever 45 is provided and sucht lever has a forwardly sloped portion 45h which extends Within the vicinity of the tractor seat so that the tractor operator may readily adjust the setting of the lever as will be presently described. The rear end of lever 45 terminates in a substantially vertical portion 45h which is pivotally connected to a longitudinal frame member 15a by a transversebolt 45e. An upstanding quadrant member 46 is secured to member |-5a by a pair of rivets 46a adjacent vertical portion 45h of lever 45. A plurality of notches 46h are provided on the. peripheral edge oft quadrant: 46 which are engageable. by a conventional detent member (not shown). controlled. from the upper end of lever 45. in conventional fashion. by ausciliary handle 45a. Vertical portion 45h .ofi lever 45 comprises; two.l spaced apartA bar members.' as best. shown in Fig., 3I having vertically spaced, transverse holes 45d. and 45e.. A pair of cylmdrical rod guides 5m and. 51I are respectively rotatably mounted. between. barsl 45h: bydiametri@- cally opposed. pins 56u and. 5ta: respectivelyprogvided on the. guides; 5.0; and 5t which. are'insert.- able. in holes; 45d and 45e. Guides 53 and 5|; are respectively provided with axial bores. 56D; and 5kb for the. reception. of a4 pair of. rods.: and

A depth adjusting arm 5.4. is fixed tothe center of square shaft. 34. and such armv is. providedwrth a longitudinal slot 54a.. Rod- 5.24 is; pivotallyr coninected at its; rear end to. the topf of. arm.z54i and a stop. collar 52a' is; secured adjacentl the forward end of rod' 52 to limit the rotarymovement 'of depth adjusting arm. 54 in a. counter-clockwise direction. The rear end: of guide: red 53; is: se;- cured` to a clevis-l 55 whinchreceives arm 54. Clavis 55v is slidably secured to. arm 54; by a transverse pin` 55a which sli'dably engages slet 54a; in arm 54.. A helical compression: spring 5.5 surrounds rod 53'. and one. end.. of such. spring. abuts cleris 55, while the other end abuts. rod. guide 5t.A bias of spring 5.6. thus tends. to rotate arm 54 inacounter-clockwise direction as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. y

The. throw of arm 5.4 is.: governedby thefdepth adjusting lever 45.. Such lever may be secured irr any selectedv one of a. plurality of' angular posi'.- tions provided byI the notches; 461iprovided` in quadrant 46 by engaging the detent (not shawn), with the selected notch. i

In Fig. 1. thee disc: furrow opener 30 is: shown in ground engaging position and in such posi tion spring, 564 has biased armi 54 in a counter:- clockwise direction to: the position. shown ini such figure. The force of spring 56.z isY transmitted to shaft 34 througharm; 54: thus forcing; rocher arm 36: to. compress spring. 39,/ and Ahence maintain furrow openers: 36 in' the: ground. Clevisl 5.5 in this: position of the improved, tensioning. device will .be located at the upper end of. slot 54a; whereat springy 5.6 acts4 on arm 54;. ata point. of maximum lever arm from the: fulcrum; point.- of arm 54. When it is desired to raise furrow openers 3l), the.y tractork *hydraulic control: lever @not shown)v is` operated by the; tractor @peraiior to actuate. tractor lift. arms; 24k thereby raising hitch links 22. This in turn draws cable 43 and yoke 42 forwardly, thereby rotating levers 4i and arm 54 in a clockwise direction to compress spring 56. After arm 54 is rotated in a clockwise direction past vertical, clevis 55 moves downwardly along slot 54a and as such spring approaches the fulcrum of arm 54, a constantly decreasing force is thus required to compress spring 56. As the eective point of application of the spring force exerted by spring 56 is moved nearer the pivot point as arm 54 moves past the center, the distance the spring must be deflected is likewise reduced, hence a shorter spring can be utilized.

In Fig. 4 there is shown a modification of the tensioning device illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Such modification may be applied to the same grain drill shown in the above-mentioned figures. In this modification, a depending depth adjusting arm 51 is secured to shaft 34 and a longitudinal slot 57a is provided therein. A clevis member 58 surrounding such arm is secured to such arm by a transverse pin 58a which rotatably engages slot 57a in order that such clevis will be slidably connected to arm 5l. The same irnplement lift arms 4l and rocker arms 36 are utilized as before described. A tension spring 59 is connected at one end to clevis 58 and at its other end to a lever 60. Lift levers 4l and rocker arm 36 are utilized with this modification and are located substantially in the same position. With this modification depth adjusting lever 60 is utilized which is substantially the same as depth adjusting lever 45. A stop rod El is connected to depth adjusting lever 60 in the same manner as stop rod 52 is secured to depth adjusting lever 45. Thus the throw or movement of arm 51 can be adjusted to vary the working depth of furrow opening disc 39. As the operation of the modification shown in Fig. 3 is otherwise identical with that of the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 and 2, no further description thereof is believed necessary other than to point out that again the effective lever arm of spring 59 is greatly reduced as lift arm 4! is pivoted in a clockwise direction to raise the furrow opening elements.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that there is here provided a tensioning device for applying spring pressure of large magnitude to ground opening elements of a farm implement which will insure substantially even penetration of the soil thereby providing improved uniformity of planting. The spring tension on the ground engaging elements is however relievable as such elements are lifted to a raised position thereby facilitating the raising thereof. This invention also permits the use of a shorter length tensioning spring through the shiftable connection of such spring to the lever arm transmitting the force of such spring, whereby a shorter than normal spring may be utilized, which results in an added economy and increased spring life.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an implement having a frame and a ground working tool pivoted on the frame 4for vertical movement, a transverse shaft pivotally mounted on the frame, means connecting said shaft to the ground working tool to control the vertical position of said tool with rocking of the shaft, an arm fixed to said shaft and extending geheraily radially therefrom, said arm having a slot extending generally radially from said shaft, said arm being swingable in opposite directions between positions on opposite sides of a vertical plane through said shaft, the arm assuming one of said positions when the tool is lowered for ground working and assuming the other position when the tool is raised for transport, a spring connected to said frame and to said arm urging said arm and shaft in one direction 'to lower said tool and yieldingly maintain it lowered, the connection of said spring to said arm including an element slidably mounted in said slot in said arm, said slot constituting the path of movement of said element, said element being positioned outwardly cn said arm away from said shaft when said arm assumes the position in which the tool is lowered for ground working, and means for rocking said shaft in the opposite direction to raise the tool and swing the arm past said vertical plane, said element sliding along said arm toward said shaft after the arm has swung past said vertical plane to the other position; whereby the effective force against said last named means is substantially reduced.

2. In an implement having a frame and a ground working tool pivoted on the frame for vertical movement, a transverse shaft pivotally mounted on the frame, means connecting said shaft to the ground working tool to control the vertical position of said tool with rocking of the shaft, an arm fixed to said shaft and extending generally radially therefrom, said arm being swingable in opposite directions between positions on opposite sides of a vertical plane through said shaft, the arm assuming one of said positions when the tool is lowered for ground working and assuming the other position when the tool is raised for transport, a spring connected to said frame and to said arm urging said arm and shaft in one direction to lower said tool and yieldingly maintain it lowered, the connection of said spring to said arm including an element slidably mounted for movement along a path extending generally radially of said shaft, said element being positioned outwardly on said arm away from said shaft when said arm assumes the position in which the tool is lowered for ground working, and means for rocking said shaft in the opposite direction to raise the tool and swing the arm past said vertical plane, said element sliding along said arm toward said shaft after the arm has swung past said vertical plane to the other position; whereby the effective spring force against said last named means is substantially reduced.

References Cited in the file lof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 304,713 Elder Sept. 9, 1884 348,208 I-Iench et al Aug. 31, 1886 610,030 Cobb Aug. 30, 1898 755,737 Block Mar. 29, 1904 860,311 Mitchell et al. July 16, 1907 904,232 Schutt Nov. 17, 1908 912,826 Deterding Feb. 16, 1909 2,290,245 Mott July 21, 1942 2,369,436 Court Feb. 13, 1945 2,416,403 Paul Feb. 25, 1947 2,520,345 Starr Aug. 29, 1950 

